A popular Wetherspoons shut today for five months for a £1.5 million refit to create 13 hotel rooms.

The Sir Thomas Ingoldsby in Burgate, Canterbury, will also have a new bar on the first floor when it reopens at the end of May.

Bosses say the new facilities will be "an asset to Canterbury" and create extra jobs.

Spokesman Eddie Gershon said: "The Thomas Ingoldsby is an extremely busy and popular pub.

"We believe the addition of a 13 bedroom hotel will prove to be a great addition for the pub as well as an asset to Canterbury itself.

"It highlights our commitment to both the pub and the town and hopefully the development scheme will act as a catalyst for further business investment in Canterbury.

"During the development work, the pub’s staff will be relocated to other Wetherspoon pubs."

He added: "The hotel rooms are of the highest standard, with en-suite bathrooms, free wi-fi and compeitive prices."

Wetherspoon also operates the Westgate Inn in the city.